The accelerated use of agricultural chemicals over the past 20–30 years has increased production and generally has been profitable, but it has also had an adverse impact on ground water quality in many major agricultural areas. The contamination of ground water, related to nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, from widespread, routine land application, as well as from point sources has become a serious concern. Ground water contamination also impairs surface water quality. Research, world-wide, has shown increases in NO3-N in ground water concurrent with major increases in N-fertilization. Many shallow ground water supplies now exceed recommended NO3-N drinking water standards. While many sources contribute N into the environment, synthetic fertilizers have become the major component. There are clear economic incentives to improve management; harvested crops often account for less than 50 percent of the purchased fertilizer inputs. Pesticides are appearing in ground water with unanticipated frequency, and while their concentrations are generally below acute toxic levels, many are of concern for possible chronic effects. Such widespread contamination is of real concern because of the potential for long-term and widespread exposure of the public through drinking water. Surveys of farmers indicate a desire to improve management practices and reduce chemical inputs. Promoting the principles of alternative, sustainable agriculture is a necessary element in the resolution of these problems.

Editor's note: At conferences with a focus on scientific and political information about alternative agriculture, the live stories of how individual farmers “made the switch” from chemical intensive to low-chemical farming help us to stay in touch with the issues as the farmer sees them. At the IAA symposium, Kansas farmer John Vogelsberg told the story of his choice to make that transition, delighting the audience with his dry humor, warmth, and wisdom. Following are excerpts from his reflections.

Editor's note: First-hand accounts of how conventional farmers are attempting to “make the switch” from chemical-intensive to low chemical farming help us understand the problems involved in this transition process. At the IAA symposium, Indiana farmer Jess (Josh) C. Andrew III presented a highly informative talk on these critical issues and questions from the perspective of the conventional farmer. The following is based upon his formal presentation and additional written materials which he submitted.

Evidence indicates a strong positive relationship between increases in nitrogen fertilizer use on cropland and nitrate concentrations in shallow ground water. This raises concern about the fate and efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer with current farming practices. Approximately 50 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer applied may be recovered by agronomic crops and 35 percent or less removed in the harvested grain of a crop such as corn. The residual nitrogen is subject to loss by several processes, one being leaching from the crop root zone. Alternative production systems that provide ground water protection must give attention to improved management of nitrogen fertilizer and to practices that minimize the need for nitrogen fertilizer and reduce soil nitrate concentrations. Most important in nitrogen fertilizer management is to more closely match nitrogen availability in the soil with crop needs and to avoid over-fertilization. Nitrogen fertilizer use can be reduced by alternate cropping of low and high nitrogen-demanding crops, use of legumes in the crop rotation to fix nitrogen, and proper use of manures, crop residues, and other organic wastes. Residual nitrates in soil can be reduced by use of cover crops, nitrogen-scavenging crops in the rotation, and alternating shallow and deep-rooted crops. Conservation tillage alone as used with many conventional cropping systems will probably not change the current status of nitrate leaching. Practices used by organic farmers should be carefully studied as possible approaches for ground water protection and adaptation into conservation tillage systems for conserving soil and water resources.

The nature of integrated pest management (IPM) is discussed in relation to the history and current state of science, agriculture and pest management. The potential for future development and adoption of IPM is evaluated in relation to three alternate future models. It is concluded that IPM will have an important role to play in relation to management of the environment and our future quality of life.

Pollution of ground water by agricultural chemicals and nitrate is one of the major problems facing agriculture in the 1980s. Before this problem is resolved additional research is needed in the following areas: 1) identification of areas within each state where ground water contamination is most likely to occur; 2) data to establish levels of pesticides in ground water that present health risks; 3) the fate and transport of pesticides in soil and underlying strata; 4) improved nitrogen use efficiency of agronomic and horticultural crops and improved management of nitrogen fertilizers; and 5) cropping and management systems that reduce or eliminate the need for problem pesticides. Improved research information in these areas should assist society in resolving current problems of ground water contamination.

The Cooperative Extension Services in many states have concentrated on educational publications and programs which describe the complexities of the hydrologic cycle and where pollutants can enter the system. Recognizing that farming is a prime source of nonpoint source pollution in some areas, extension programs have focused on alternative agricultural practices which can reduce that pollution. Both national and state extension services have published recommendations on increasing public awareness, developed linkages with research, and provided leadership in education about pollution problems and how to solve them. The current national task forces on extension priorities include “water quality” as one of eight key areas for future extension emphasis. Alternative farming practices which can help reduce the pollution levels from agriculture include careful soil sampling, interpretation of analyses, setting yield goals, and matching nutrient applications to crop needs. Modified methods of nutrient application can also help. Reduced tillage, crop rotations, increased use of legumes, and keeping cover on the land through a greater part of the year can all help. Reduced applications of pesticides and use of alternative pest control measures have potential to improve ground water quality. There are economic as well as environmental reasons to reduce chemical and fertilizer applications in agriculture. This is a critical time for producers and researchers to examine alternative practices which can help improve ground water quality for future generations.

Agricultural production is an important source of ground water contamination in many regions of the U.S. Ground water contamination is the unintended side effect of actions by economic agents pursuing their interests within the legal framework established by current public policy. Under existing policy, agricultural producers do not have changes as noted to consider off-site effects of their decisions on ground water supplies. Given these policy rules, producers can be expected to cause such damage until their rights and obligations are adjusted by policy. The farmer is simply responding in a predictable manner to opportunities existing within the economic system. Possible rationales for government action to protect ground water quality include: 1) the existence of “third party” effects in the form of off-site damages associated with degraded water supplies; 2) overuse of an “open-access” resource; 3) society's desire to make conservative ground water management decisions to avoid the risks of contamination; and 4) individuals' demands for ground water protection even though they may not expect to directly benefit. Alternative policy instruments for ground water protection include taxes, subsidies, regulations and prohibitions, education, and public spending. Different policy approaches are being employed to address agricultural contamination of ground water. One policy approach emphasizes producers ' lack of accurate information and appropriate decision-making, and recommends educating farmers about how their profits can be increased by improved decisions regarding inputs. A second approach is to change the rules and incentives to compel or induce producers to act in a way that improves ground water quality. If ground water quality follows the pattern of most public issues, effective policies will be developed only as the cost of failing to act becomes known. Research and delivery of information on the costs of ground water protection and the costs of not protecting ground water are likely to be key factors affecting the formation of future ground water quality policies.